Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The course duration is for 12 – 14 months including the Written Examination and OSCE.

Dental nurses work along-side dentists assisting in the care of patients including anything from a simple check up to advanced specialist treatment. It is an important responsibility of the dental nurse to put patient at ease and help them feel comfortable and relaxed during their visit.

Qualified Dental nurses also provide advice and give instruction to patients helping them to improve their oral hygiene. No two patients or procedures are ever quite the same making this an extremely varied and interesting role. Being able to work effectively as part of a team of professionals, with all types of patients, is a key factor in the role.

Other responsibilities include updating notes for the patient’s records, preparing a range of dental materials for fillings and impression taking, processing X-rays, sterilising instruments and providing chair side support to the dentist and making sure health and safety standards in the surgery are maintained.

There is a broad range of career options open for fully qualified dental nurses to build skills and experience, which will always see them in demand. Taking further courses in specialist areas allow additional skills and qualifications to be gained. Qualified and registered dental nurses can also apply for places on Dental Hygiene / Dental Therapy / Orthodontic Therapy courses. Many nurses have also made the move to a management role within a practice or hospital department, or have become a trainer and assessor within a dental nurse education centre. Alternatively the patient care experience can be applied to a wider healthcare role beyond Dentistry.

As soon as you enroll and register on the course, you can apply for the trainee dental nurse positions.

All the candidates have to take part in a basic literacy test and a short interview; therefore candidates are scheduled for an assessment to complete the process and enrol onto the course. You will also have to be a citizen or living in the UK, EU or hold ILR visa, along with an address proof and national insurance number.

Yes, within 2/3 months you will have to start working or volunteering at a dental practice to be able to complete your eRoE within the deadline given to your specified examination cohort, and to prepare for the scheduled NEBDN examination.

Yes, it is necessary for you to work as a Trainee to gain practical experience and to complete your e-RoE (electronic- Record of Experience) portfolio. This is essential for you to complete so that you can sit the NEBDN exam. The minimum hours you are required to work /volunteer at a dental practice is 15 – 20 hrs a week so that you are able to complete your e-RoE.

No, as a primarily training centre; we do not guarantee any jobs/placements. However, we do assist with your CV preparation and guide you in finding a work placement.

It depends on the individual, as per the past records; our students find placement 2-3 months after starting the course.

You will be given a choice to re-join the course or to re-sit the exams as per the applicable learning policy.

If a student has not finished their RoE on time for their scheduled exam cohort, the student can extend their support period for RoE to work towards the next deadline for the RoE and will sit the exam at the next available opportunity. There are two available dates for the exams, November and April therefore, depending on when the student is able to fully complete their portfolio they can sit the exams accordingly.

There are two parts of the exams that is required for you to pass your National Diploma after completing your RoE portfolio. The first part consist of written exam which you will need to pass to get to the next phase. The second part is the practical OSCE exam.

You will be required to complete Basic Life Support (BLS) as part of your Record of Experience.

Please check in the course details for applicable course fees.

Yes, as long as you are on GDC register and have considerable work experience; you are able to pursue the post qualification certificate qualification.

You can provisionally register your place on the course but you would need to be GDC registered as well to commence the course.

NEBDN professional qualifications are not currently in the Qualifications Framework. However, as a broad guide:

NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education – broadly equivalent to Level 4.
NEBDN Certificate in Orthodontic Dental Nursing – broadly equivalent to Level 5.
NEBDN Certificate in Dental Radiography – broadly equivalent to Level 4.